Photo Credit: Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan for ‘Reagan’ / ShowBiz Direct
Bob Dylan and Gene Simmons are both revealed to be recording tracks for the upcoming Ronald Reagan biopic.
Bob Dylan and Gene Simmons have both recorded tracks for the upcoming biopic Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid as the former actor and US president. Gene Simmons has recorded a new version of the 1930s torch song “Stormy Weather,” while Bob Dylan has recorded a cover of Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In” for the film’s end credits.
“Don’t Fence Me In” was popularized by Gene Autry in the 1940s; interestingly, Dennis Quaid is a third cousin of the late Autry. Simmons’ rendition of “Stormy Weather” will play over a scene between Reagan and his actress wife Jane Wyman in a Hollywood nightclub. Further, Clint Black’s cover of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” will close the film. Tanya Tucker leads a slew of other artists yet to be announced who will record songs for the film, which hits theaters on August 30.
“Every director dreams of having Bob [Dylan] be a part of their work, and I’m no exception,” says the film’s director, Sean McNamara. “His song helps the viewer understand Reagan’s journey in a deeper way, and it gives our film an emotional depth that I’m grateful for.”
“I was honored to have Bob join our film,” adds Quaid. “We gave him the freedom to do any song he wanted to do, whether an original or a cover, and he chose ‘Don’t Fence Me In.’ That was extra special since it was a song that Gene [Autry] made famous. Bob is a great lover of the American Songbook and we were delighted with the way he delivered the song. He’s a national treasure and the perfect addition to the film. Gene and Clint [Black] were also generous with their time, and Tanya [Tucker] has been a friend of many years, and I’m thrilled to have her song as well.”
“Music has become compartmentalized. Hip-hop over there, country over there, rock over there,” says Gene Simmons. “I wanted to contribute a song in a style that had a wide appeal and reflected the times the movie was set in. This is a movie worth watching.”
Reagan is the debut film from the recently launched ShowBiz Direct studio.
